Apparatus for covering electrical sockets or switches

Abstract

Apparatus for temporarily covering at least a portion of an electrical socket or switch having a housing includes a main panel and panels connected to the main panel and extending laterally from the main panel to form a recess. When a portion of the electrical socket or switch is positioned in the recess at least some of the panels are in clamping engagement with the electrical socket or switch. Accordion pleats integral with the main panel and panels connected to the main panel provide flexibility, enabling the apparatus to be connected to a variety of electrical sockets and switches.

I claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for covering at least a portion of an electrical socket or switch having a housing including a first housing end, a second housing end, and two spaced, opposed housing sides interconnecting the first housing end and second housing end, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a main panel for placement over at least a portion of an electrical socket or switch;   a plurality of panels connected to and extending laterally from the main panel including a first panel connected to and extending laterally from the main panel, a second panel connected to and extending laterally from the main panel in spaced opposition to said first panel, a third panel connected to and extending laterally from the main panel between said first panel and said second panel, and a fourth panel connected to and extending laterally from the main panel between said first panel and said second panel, said fourth panel being in spaced opposition to said third panel, and said panels defining a recess for receiving at least a portion of a socket or switch to cover at least a portion of said electrical socket or switch; and   biasing means for biasing at least two opposed panels of said apparatus into clamping engagement with at least a portion of an electrical socket or switch received in said recess to releasably maintain the apparatus in position on the electrical socket or switch, said biasing means including at least one flexible accordion pleat formed in said main panel and in at least two opposed panels.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein all of said panels and said at least one flexible accordion pleat are of integral molded plastic construction. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said plastic is high density polyethylene. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one flexible accordion pleat comprises a central accordion pleat section and two end accordion pleat sections spaced from one another, contiguous with said central accordion pleat section, and extending substantially at right angles to said central accordion pleat section. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said main panel includes two spaced main panel sections disposed on opposite sides of said at least one flexible accordion pleat, said central accordion pleat section being located outwardly of said two spaced main panel sections and at least partially defining an enlarged recess portion for accommodating a toggle switch, said enlarged recess portion being at least partially defined by two opposed panels clampingly engageable with said toggle switch. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a plurality of parallel flexible accordion pleats. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one flexible accordion pleat includes two straight pleat panels extending outwardly from said main panel and wherein said two straight pleat panels join at a line of convergence. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first panel, said second panel, said third panel, and said fourth panel are interconnected and define a continuous skirt extending from the outer periphery of said main panel. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said skirt is dimensioned so that it tightly engages the first housing end, the second housing end and the two spaced opposed housing sides of a socket or switch housing received in said recess. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said skirt defines four spaced, squared-off interior corners. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least two of said opposed panels are flexible.